Thaindian News

Washington, April 20 (IANS) Popular Indian-American “Bhangra Queen” Rekha Malhotra is among the celebrities participating in this year’s White House Easter Egg Roll April 25 with the theme “Get Up and Go!”

Other celebrities at the event include Colbie Caillat, Greyson Chance, Willow Smith, Mindless Behavior, puppets from “Sesame Street,” Little Beats and DJ Willy Wow. Local DJ Tommy McFly will serve as emcee.

“DJ Rekha and DJ WillyWow will perform on the ellipse,” said the White House listing her among the invited celebrities. The invitation is seen as recognition of years of hard work during which Rekha has helped popularise “bhangra” in the United States.

Along with the traditional egg roll, now in its 133rd year, there will also be a Storytime Stage where Kelly Ripa and family, John Lithgow, Elmo, Maria and Gordon of “Sesame Street,” John Bemelmans Marciano, Kristi Yamaguchi and Geena Davis will be reading.

Kids can go wild in the Eggtivity Zone with Olympians Tyson Gay and Bryan Clay, Redskin Lorenzo Alexander, tennis player Chris Evert and Wizards stars. Exercise will also be encouraged at jump rope stations and inside the Yoga Garden.

There will also be 14,500 hard-boiled and dyed eggs for the egg roll and the egg hunt and 83,000 souvenir wooden eggs complete with the president and first lady’s signatures. Chirping eggs will be provided for visually impaired children.

White House Easter Egg Roll, a tradition in its 133rd year.

This year’s theme is “Get Up and Go!” The theme focuses on promoting health and wellness and encouraging children to lead healthy and active lives. This is a central part of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, which is a national effort to combat childhood obesity.

Some 30,000 people from all 50 states and the District of Columbia have received tickets via online lottery to the largest annual public event at the White House.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)